Button-cutting machine



7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 25, 1936 Inventor June 20, 1939. HQpKms 2,163,338

BUTTON-CUTTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 25, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 nvenfor Attorneys June 20, 1939. w HQPKINS 2,163,338

BUTTON-CUTTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 25, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Inventor A iiorneys June 20, 1939.

G. W. HOPKINS BUTTON- CUTTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 25, 1936 7 SheetsSheet 6 fi zy, 12

J5 Inventor $2 22 22 m akz v Attorneys June 20, 1939. G. w. HOPKINS BUTTON-CUTTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 25, 1936 7 SheetsSheet 7 Attorneys Patented June 20, 1939 UNITED STATES BUTTON-CUTTING MACHINE Glenn W. Hopkins, Paducah, Ky., assignor to McKee Button Company, Muscatine, Iowa.

Application September 25, 1936, Serial No. 102,594

2 Claims.

This invention relates to button-cutting machines and consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and subsequently claimed.

The invention together with its objects and advantages will'be best understood from a study of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:-

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the buttoncutting machine embodying the features of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevational View of the machine.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail View partly in section and partly in elevation and illustrating certain features hereinafter more fully referred to.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view also illustrating certain details hereinafter more fully referred to.

Figures 5 and 6 are horizontal sectional views taken substantially on the lines 5-5 and 6-6 respectively of Figure 4.

Figure '7 is a horizontal view showing in top plan the plug supporting bracket.

Figures is a detail elevational view showing the mounting for the idler pulleys forming part of the belt and pulley driving equipment.

Figure 9 is an exploded View showing a pin, block, and pulley-supporting spindle, separated. Figure 10 is an enlarged side elevational view showing in detail the plug dressing tool and supporting clamp for the plug.

Figure 11 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line ll-ll of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line l2-I2 of Figure ll.

Figure 13 is a bottom plan view of a jaw member forming part of the plug-supporting clamp.

Figure 14 is a vertical sectional view through the plug-dressing tool.

Figure 15 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line |5l5 of Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a detail elevational view suggesting the manner of using the plug-dressing tool and Figure 1'7 is a fragmentary detail elevational view illustrating the operation of the machine on a blank of uneven contour.

Referring more specifically to the drawings the numeral 5 indicates generally the machine meunted upon the table or bench 6.

The frame I is provided with vertically alined bearings 8, 9 which accommodate, for vertical and rotative movement, a spindle l0.

The spindle i0 carries, at its lower end, a saw II, and the chuck assembly for attaching the saw II to the lower end of the spindle i0 is indicated generally by the reference numeral l2 and will be hereinafter more fully described. 5 The spindle I0 is driven by a belt l3 passing around a pulley assembly 13 mounted on the spindle If! and pulleys M as shown. The pulley assembly l3 and the mounting for the pulleys I4 will be described hereinafter more fully in detail. 10

The frame I at its upper end and in substantial alinement with the bearings 8 and 9 is provided with a forked pair of arms I5 provided with studs it through the medium of which are pivoted to said arm links H. Links I! have right angularly disposed ends I8 to which are pivoted one end of longitudinally extensible rods l9, which in turn are pivoted to crank arms 20 provided on the respective opposite ends of a shaft N shaft 2! is journaled in a suitable bearing 22 20 provided therefor in the frame I.

A collar 23 is confined on the spindle H] between a bearing assembly 24 and a collar 25, the latter being secured to the shaft through the medium of a set screw 26. The collar 23 has projecting from diametrically opposite sides thereof arms 27 provided at their respective free ends with pins 28 through the medium of which are pivoted to the arms .21 of the collar links 29 which, in turn, are pivoted to the ends l8 of the links I! as at 36. It will thus be seen that rocking movement of the shaft 2| will be transmitted through the rods l9, links I1, and links 29 to the spindle it for raising and lowering thev latter.

For rocking the shaft 2! to raise and lower the spindle it there is detachably mounted on one end of the shaft 2! as at 3| a hub member 32. The hub member 32 has a transverse opening therethrough to accommodate a handle 33 which is secured at the desired adjustment relative to the hub 32 through the medium of a set screw 34. Thus it will be seen that the handle 33 may be adjusted as the reach of the operator may require.

For yieldably and normally urging the spindle iii upwardly there are provided springs 35 which on one end are engaged with the pins IS on the arms I5 and at their respective lower ends are engaged with the pins 23 on the collar arms 27.

At the base or lower end of the frame 1 there is swingably mounted for movement in a horizontal plane a plug holder or clamp indicated generally by the reference numeral 36.

The plug holder or clamp 36 comprises a column or body member 31 the upper end of which is provided with a conical recess to accommodate the conical end of a bearing screw 38 threaded through a lug 39 provided on the frame 1 as shown in Figure 3. On its lower end the column or body 31 is alsdprovided with a conical recess to accommodate the conical end of a bearing pin 46 suitably fitted within a bore provided therefor in the base of the frame 1 as is also clearly shown in Figure 3.

The column or body member 31 has upper and lower arms 4|, 42 projecting therefrom, and at their respective free ends the arms 4|, 42 are provided to form semi-circular clamps to whichare secured as at 43 lateral lugs provided at the upper and lower ends of a semi-cylindrical guide member 44.

The guide member 44 accommodates in the groove thereof a plug 45. The plug 45, as is well-known'in the art, is provided for the supporting thereon, in operative position to the saw ii the shells from which the button blanks are out. Plug 45 is usually of wood but may be made of rubber, fibre, or any other suitable material.

To secure the plug 45 clamped at the desired adjustment there is slidably mounted on the upper arm 4! a jaw 46 the head of which is grooved as at 41 complemental to the groove of the member 44. In this connection it will be understood that the groove of the member 44 and the groove 41 of the head 46 are substantially V-shaped to provide a non-circular opening the walls of which will so frictionally grip the plug 45 as to secure the same against accidental turning movement within the bracket or fixture 36.

The body of the shiftable and adjustable jaw 46 Works in a groove 48 provided therefor in the arm 4! and is provided with lateral flanges 49 equipped with slots 55 through the medium of which and screw 5! the jaw 46 is secured at the desired adjustment. For adjusting the jaw 46 there is provided a suitable adjusting screw 52 threadedly engaged on the arm 4| as illustrated. (See Figures 11 and 12.)

For shifting the plug 45 to the desired raised or lowered position, there is provided a threaded shank 53 the upper end of which is threaded to the arm 4! and the lower end of which is threaded into the arm 42 of the fixture or clamp 36. The shank 53 is secured against turning movement through the medium of a set screw 54 threaded into the arm 42 to bear against the lower end of the member 53. On the member 53 is a. nut or follower 55 on which rests the lower end of the plug 45 as shown in Figure 11. Thus it will be seen that by threading the nut or follower 55 axially of the threaded member 53, and in the proper direction the plug 45 is moved to the desired position of adjustment.

For limiting rotative movement of the fixture or clamp 36 in one direction and insure a proper alinement of the plug'45 with the saw ll there is provided on the column 31 a laterally extending lug 56 with which is threadedly engaged an adjusting screw 51 positioned to engage the frame 1 when the fixture 36 is swung to a position for ali-ning the plug 45 with the saw I I.

For limiting swinging movement of the fixture 36 in a reverse direction and to insure an alining of the plug 45 with the dressingtool 58 hereinafter more fully referred to, there is threadedly engaged with an integral web 58 of the fixture 36 a stop screw 60.

There is also provided a dressing tool assembly indicated generally by the reference numeral 6|.

The assembly 6| in addition to the dressing tool 58 includes a gear box 62 provided at its upper end with integral tubular extension 63 which works in an arcuate framelike guide 64 mounted on the frame 1, being secured to the frame 1 at one end as at 65.

Integral with the lower end of the gear box 62' is a cylindrical extension 66 that has integral therewith an arm 61 provided with a pivot spindle 68 journale'd in a bearing 69 provided therefor on the frame 1. A suitable nut and washer assembly is provided on one end of the pivot spindle 68 to retain the same engaged with the bearing 69 as shown in Figure 14.

"For securing the gear box 62 and associated parts in a vertical position or at a desired angle to the perpendicular the tubular extension 64 is provided with a threaded pin 1| that operates through a slot 12 provided in the guide 64, and threadedly engaged with the pin 1| is a thumb nut 13. (See'Figures 1 and 14.)

The dressing tool 58, preferably protected by a suitably mounted and arranged shield 14 is suitably carried on one end of a shaft that works through a bore in the extension 66 of gear box 62.

On its upper endthe shaft 15 is provided with a threaded section that is threadedly accommodated within the threaded socket of a shank Shank 11 isprovided on its upper end with a hand wheel '18, and said shank is also externally threaded and is threadedly engaged with a nut 19 removably secured within a socket 80 provided at the upper end of the extension 63,

set screws-8| being provided for securing the nut' 19 within the socket 80.

Within the gear case 62 is a bevel gear 82 the hub of which is provided with a key that works in an elongated way 83 provided in the shaft 15. Interposed between the gear 82 and a fixed collar 84 on the shaft 15 is a spring 85. Thus it will beseen that by turning the hand wheel 18 shaft 15 may be projected or retracted to properly adjust. the dressing tool 58 relative to the .plug 45 to be dressed.

Meshing with the gear 82 is a gear 86 provided on the inner end of a shaft 81 journaled in a bearing structure 88 provided therefor within a boss 89 projectingfrom one side of the gear case 62. On the outer end of the shaft 81 is a pulley 90 over which a belt or the like is trained for transmitting drive to the shaft 81 from a suitablesource of power. Obviously drive from. the

shaft 81 will be transmitted through the gearing 86, 82 to the shaft 15 for rotating the same, and the dressing tool 58 at the lower end of the shaft rotates with the shaft, as is apparent. V

In Figure'lfi is illustrated the angular position 'of the axisof the dressing tool 58 with respect to tainportions thereof wherethe upper end of the support-plug, such as 'forexample the plug 45, is

dressed down flat and smooth. Because of their peculiar contours such sections of the shells can be utilized only when the upper end of the supporting plug is dressed to accommodate these peculiar contours. Hence, through the medium of my dressing assembly the upper end of the plug may be so dressed as to accommodate the contour of any selected section or part of a shell to the end that such sections may be used for the purpose of cutting abutton blank or blanks therefrom insuring at the same time the cutting of the blanks that will permit the use of the same in the making of a button of the desired quality and perfection.

For engaging and forcing from the saw II the cut disk of shell there is provided an ejector rod 92 (Figure 4) that extends through the spindle It, and has its upper end working through an aperture in a plate 93 bridging the forked arms 15, aforementioned, and mounted on the upper end of the frame I. Also on the upper end of the ejector rod 82 and secured thereto at the desired adjustment through the medium of a set screw, or as otherwise found desirable, is a stop collar M Associated with the rod 92 is a spring tension device which includes a spring 95 one end of which seats against a collar 96 provided on an intermediate portion of rod 92, and the upper end of which seats against a short tubular member IJI sleeved on the rod 92 and equipped at its upper end with handle means 98. The adjusting tube 91 threads through a fixed plate 99 supported above the bearing 8 through the medium of a pair of oppositely disposed integral arms I III) that extend downwardly :from the plate 99 and at their lower ends are provided with openings to receive the pins 28 projecting from the arms 27 of the aforementioned collar 23. Thus it will be seen that by threading the tube 91 in the proper direction through the plate 99 spring 95 will coact with the tube 91 and the collar 9'6 for axially adjusting the rod 92 to vary the ejecting stroke of the ejector rod 92 without varying the tension on the spring 95. This is desirable for the reason that if the tension on spring 95 is being constantly varied, especially by attendants not thoroughly skilled-the ejecting force of the rod 92 is oftentimes materially reduced so that the rod does not function in a completely satisfactory manner. Thus, in accordance with the present invention, provision is made for adjusting the working stroke of the ejector rod 92 through the instrumentality of means which render the adjustment practically fool-proof.

Referring to the aforementioned pulley assembly I3 it will be seen thatthe same comprises an upper pulley I3a which is fixed to the spindle I?) as at IEI and a lower pulley I3b the hub of which is spaced from the hub of the pulley I30 through the medium of a spacer disk H12, and in which hub is confined a suitable bearing assembly I03. The hub of the pulley i311 also rests on a collar I64 fixedly secured on the spindle I0 through the medium of a set screw I95. Thus it will be seen that when the spindle It is in a raised position the belt I 3 is trained about the pulley I311 which latter will merely idle about the spindle It as an axis so that no drive will be transmitted from the source of power to the spindle It. On the other hand when the spindle IE] is in the lowered position the belt will shift from the pulley I31) to the pulley I 3a which is fixed to the spindle I0 and consequently drive will be transmitted to the spindle II] for rotating the latter and the saw I I at the lower end of the spindle I0.

Reference is also now had to the mounting of the pulleys I4. Such mounting in the present instance comprises a supporting rod I06 having an end secured through the medium of a set screw It? in the socket of a boss I08 suitably provided on the frame I.

For each of the pulleys I4 there is provided a block I09 (Figure 9) having an opening III] through one end thereof to receive a free end portion of the rod Hi6. A set screw I II serves to secure the block at the desired adjustment on the rod I06.

The block I99 has a vertical opening I I2 therethrough which receives the shank I I3. Shank I I3 is secured at the desired adjustment through the mediiun of a set screw H4.

At its upper end the shank I I3 is bent laterally to provide a spindle or stub shaft II5 on which is journaled a pulley I4, the pulley being retained on the spindle I I5 through the medium of a fixed collar H6 and a nut and washer assembly II I. (See Figure 8.)

Thus it will be seen that a mounting, somewhat universal in effect, is provided for the pulleys I4 permitting a wide range of adjustment of the position of the pulleys I4 and as may be required to increase or take up slack in the belt I3.

Referring now tothe chuck I2 (Figures 4 and 6) it will be seen that the same comprises a sleeve II8 internally threaded to be screwed onto the threaded lower end of the spindle IE3 and externally threaded to have screwed thereon a nut member IIS.

The sleeve I8 has a substantially double-cone end I20 provided with a conical bore to receive the conical head of the saw carrying spun I2I. At intervals the end I20 0f the chuck sleeve E8 is provided with radial openings I22 in which work headed studs or retaining pins I23. The inner ends of the pins I23 engage in a groove I 24 provided in the head of the spun I2I and the head-equipped ends of the pins I23 are engaged by a frustro-conical skirt I25 formed integral with one end of the nut I I9, when the nut H9 is threaded downwardly on the sleeve I I8. Thus the pins I23 are forced inwardly to engage the groove I2l for securing the saw spun I2I engaged with the chuck assembly I2.

In Figure l is suggested the idea of mounting the frames 1 of the button-cutting machines at intervals on elongated tables 6 the tables arranged in pairs and in slightly spaced relation to accommodate between their adjacent longitudinal edges a trough I 26 common to pans I22, there being one pan I2'I for each button-making machine and each pan having extending from the front side thereof a tray I28 connected with its pan I21 through the medium of a downwardly and rearwardly directed chute I29. The tray I28 is adapted to hold shells or other material to be operated upon, in ready use of the operator, the tray being about waist high to the operator to extend over the lap of the operator sitting at the table 6.

The pan I21 is for the purpose of catching the waste shell scrap and to prevent water flowing from nozzles I30 from unduly splashing the operator.

The nozzles I30 are provided for directing a constant stream of water on the shell and work during the button-sawing operation. The water may be supplied from any suitable source and through a pipe I3I and a distributor head I32 to which the pipe I3I and the nozzles I 30 are connected. Head I 32 is suitably secured as at II3 on the lower end-of an angular rod [34.

Rod I34 has a lower end portion extending through an opening provided in a lug I35 proagainst rotative movement relative to the spindle through the medium of a pin I39 that extends downwardly from a lug I40. on hearing 8 and through an'opening I4I provided therefor in the arm I31.

While the frame 'I may be made of cast iron, it is desirable that the spindleIO, the parts of the chuck I2, and other such parts as may be wetted or become damp and likely to rust and stick, detracting from the desired smooth operation of the machine, be made of aluminum or other non-rusting metal.

The operation of the machine may be briefly described as follows:

Upon manipulation of the handle 33, rocking the shaft 2I in a clockwise direction, motion is transmitted from the shaft 2| through the rods I9 and links I I and 29 to the spindleto depress the rotating spindle against the action of springs Continued downward movement of ,the rotating spindle Illbrings the serrated edge of the Saw II into cutting engagement with the shell 9| to be cut. Thus a blank is cut from "the shell as the saw travels on downwardly and through the shell.

When the blank is being cut in this manner the operator thereupon releasesjthe'handle 33, or swings it upwardly, assisted by the springs 35, and the shell BI is re-positioned for-cutting another blank. 7 V

This operation is continued until it .isdesired to re- -face or dress the shell-supporting plug 45.

To re-fa'ce or re-dress the upper end of the plug 45 the bracket or fixture 36 is swungfrom the position shown in Figure 1 to the position shown in Figure 10, By loosening the nut I3 the dressing tool assembly may be swung in av has been made the operator then turns-the wheel I8 for feeding the shaft "I5 downwardly to engage the dressing tool 58 withthe plug 45. Drive V from-the source of power is transmitted to shaft I5 through the pulley ilwand the'gearing 86, 82 for rotating the shaft and the dressing-tool 58. Thus in this manner the :plug 45 is conveniently dressed for the .purpose of accommodating the irregular contoured section or part of the shell from which a button blank isto be cut.

After the dressing operation ,has been completed the handle "I8 .is rotated in areverse-di rection for .moving' the tool 58 out ofeengagement' with the plug 45 and the =bracket o'r fixture 36 is then swung back into position alining with the spindle :II] for use in conjunction therea with for cutting the blanks from thezshells It is thought that a -"clear understanding of the construction, utility and advantagesof a button-cutting machine having :the features of the present invention as herein-illustrated and de- Having thus described the invention what Is claimed as new is:

1. In a machine of theclass described, a vertical support, button-blank cutting mechanism located vertically in front of the support, means for mounting said mechanism for up and down movement, said mechanism including a spindle having a blank cutting saw at its lower end, and means for rotating the spindle including a. pulley'fixed-on the spindle, a second pulleyloosely mounted on the spindle below the first pulley and rotatable relative to the spindle as anaxis, a driving belt having aportion-trained relative to the pulleys to=engage the'lower pulley when the blank-cutting, mechanism is in an upward position and to engage the upper pulley when the blank mechanism is in a lower position for rotating the spindle insaid-lowered position, a supporting pin mounted on .said support, oppositely extending blocks adjustably mounted on the supporting pin, shank members connected with the blocks for vertical adjustment and provided at their upper ends with spindles and idler pulleys for the belt journaled on said spindle.

2. A-button cutting machine comprising a vertical support, bearings carried by said support and arranged in vertical alignment with each other, a spindle mounted in said bearings for rotation and-verticalsliding movement and having a cutter "connected to the lower-end thereof,

a yoke rotatably mounted on the spindle, pivotally connected links pivoted on the .yoke and -on the support-and-including angularly disposed extensions, contractible springs connected to the yoke and to the support :and acting to urge the spindle to 'slide upwardly, superimposed pulleys on said spindle and: one ;of saidv pulleys secured on the spindle and the otherpulley free to ro- --tate relative tothe spindle, means for supporting a power belt to .engage either of the pulleys in accordance with'the upward and downward positions-of the spindle and carried by the supwardly by positioning of the links angularly to each other and for moving the spindle downwardly by positioning of the links in vertical alignment with-each other.

' GLENN W. HOPKINS. 

